Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to be important for neuronal differentiation, survival, migration and plasticity in both the developing embryo and adult synapses. The BDNF antibody is also proving to be an important tool in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research.
AD is characterized by synaptic loss and neurodegeneration. In 2009, A.H Nagahara, et al. used BDNF antibodies in a series of AD animal studies, designed to investigate the possible therapeutic benefits of BDNF when administered as a drug [PMID: 19198615]. BDNF was administered to the brains of rats and primates, specifically targeting the hippocampus and cerebral cortex - two regions which are severely impaired in AD.
A transgenic mouse model of AD was first developed, and lentiviral vectors constitutively expressing Bdnf-GFP injected into the entorhinal cortex (ERC). Synaptic marker antibodies for Green Fluorescent Protein revealed that BDNF reversed synaptic loss, with the protein elevated in the hippocampus as well as the ERC. This was to be expected, as the ERC neurons extend into the layers of the hippocampus, and BDNF is known to undergo anterograde transport along this route.
In a parallel study, administration of recombinant BDNF to the ERC of aged rats showing cognitive impairment resulted in improved memory and spatial learning in maze tests, as had been seen with the mice. Similar results were obtained in aged impaired primates.
The BDNF antibody also revealed improved BDNF overexpression improved synaptic plasticity, in an animal model of Huntington’s disease. The focus is now on identifying underlying mechanisms of action. To this end, Dean, et al. recently identified Synaptotagmin 4 as a factor in BDNF expression. We at Novus Biologicals offer a comprehensive range of antibodies and related reagents for BDNF research and related neuroscience studies.
Novus Biologicals offers many BDNF reagents for your research needs including:
